Inexpensive, but of good quality, the pistol achieved considerable success at contemporary shooting competitions[1] and, as an export product, was popular throughout the Americas.

As in early Colt and Browning pocket pistols, the Ortgies striker also operated as an ejector as the slide traveled backwards after discharge.

To disengage the safety, a shooter simply would squeeze the grip, pressing the lever forward and locking it flush with the back of the frame.

Deutsche Werke pistols continued to feature the "HO" brass grip inset until relatively late in their production, when they substituted one with a new trademark depicting a stylized crouching cat with long tail forming an S-curve over its back.

[1] In keeping with prevalent economics in Germany at the time, factory finishes were limited to bluing or, rarely, nickel.

It differs only slightly from a standard Ortgies pistol, in that it has a small gold plate inlaid into the side of the slide, stamped "Eva Braun".